http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/01/29/one-by-one-an...cks-on-team-clinton/

One by One, Angry Liberals Turn Their Backs on Team Clinton

by Judson Berger
Tuesday, January 29, 2008


Bill Clinton speaks to a crowd in Independence, Mo., Saturday, on the campaign trail on behalf of his wife. (AP Photo)


Like lovers scorned, Bill Clinton’s longtime liberal supporters are walking out on him, slamming the door behind them and rebuking the 42nd president for his unseemly behavior leading up to last weekend’s South Carolina primary.

Clinton’s base seems to be eroding fast as liberal Democratic stalwarts join up with Barack Obama, whose message of change seems now to apply not only to the Bush Administration of the last seven years, but the eight-year Clinton Administration that preceded it.

Obama’s biggest “get” was Sen. Ted Kennedy, who abandoned his neutrality in the presidential race and endorsed Obama over Hillary Clinton on Monday. While Obama insists the Massachusetts senator’s endorsement was not a repudiation of anyone, it was clear that Kennedy - along with his niece Caroline Kennedy and son Rep. Patrick Kennedy — had reached beyond the Clintons to pass the mantle of the Democratic party’s liberal wing to Obama.

And while the Kennedys may open the floodgates, they were hardly the first liberals to abandon the Clintons for Obama. In recent weeks the Clintons have watched many of their supporters drift to the young senator from Illinois.

Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, the Democrats’ 2004 presidential candidate, endorsed Obama recently. On Tuesday, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius climbed aboard, the morning after she delivered the Democrats’ rebuttal speech to President Bush’s State of the Union address.

Even novelist Toni Morrison, who once called Bill Clinton the “first black president,” has come out for Obama.

Liberal criticism of the Clintons has come from inside and outside the Beltway, from former supporters and colleagues. It ranges from the thinly veiled to the blatant:

Robert Reich, former Clinton labor secretary, on his personal blog: “Bill Clinton’s ill-tempered and ill-founded attacks on Barack Obama are doing no credit to the former President, his legacy, or his wife’s campaign. Nor are they helping the Democratic party … Now, sadly, we’re witnessing a smear campaign against Obama that employs some of the worst aspects of the old politics.”

Leahy: “He is not helping anyone, and certainly not helping the Democratic Party.” (The Washington Post)

Columnist Nicholas von Hoffman: “By the time Hillary and Bill have finished with Obama the real man may be unrecognizable to voters in Iowa or any place else … If he can wipe enough of the Clintonian slime off himself, Obama may be able to come out from under and explain to the world that sometimes less experience is more and better.” (The Nation)

Columnist/Editor Jonathan Chait: “Am I starting to sound like a Clinton hater? It’s a scary thought. Of course, to conservatives, it’s a delicious thought. The Wall Street Journal published a gloating editorial noting that liberals had suddenly learned “what everyone else already knows about the Clintons.” (By “everyone,” it means Republicans.) It made me wonder: Were the conservatives right about Bill Clinton all along?” (The Los Angeles Times).

Columnist Maureen Dowd: “It’s odd that the first woman with a shot at becoming president is so openly dependent on her husband to drag her over the finish line. She handed over South Carolina to him, knowing that her support here is largely derivative.” (The New York Times)

E.J. Dionne Jr.: “That’s why the Clintons’ assault on Obama is so depressing. In many ways, Obama is running the 2008 version of the 1992 Clinton campaign. You have the feeling that if Bill Clinton did not have another candidate in this contest, he’d be advising Obama and cheering him on.” (The Washington Post)

Al Sharpton: “But I think that it’s time for him to just be quiet. I think it’s time for him to stop. As one of the most outspoken people in America, there is a time to shut up, and I think that time has come.” (On The View)

Kerry: “I think you had an abuse of the truth … I mean, being an ex-president does not give you license to abuse the truth, and I think that over the last few days it’s been over the top.” (On National Journal radio)

Daschle: “… this backbiting, bitter give-and-take that we’re beginning to see more and more of, especially from the Clinton campaign. It’s wrong. Everybody know it’s wrong and it’s got to stop … It’s not presidential. It’s not in keeping with the image of a former president.”

Ted Kennedy: “With Barack Obama, we will turn the page on the old politics of misrepresentation and distortion.”

Though the Clintons have been staring at a lot of backs recently, it’s not a full-scale rebellion. As Ted, Caroline and Patrick Kennedy endorsed Obama, three other Kennedys endorsed Clinton.

In a newspaper column Tuesday, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (former Maryland lieutenant governor), Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Kerry Kennedy wrote:

“We believe that [Hillary Clinton] is the strongest candidate for our party and our country.” They invoked President Kennedy’s ideals and the desire to give voice to the voiceless as they described Hillary Clinton.

The column made no mention of the candidate’s husband.

I think what Hillary should have done years ago was divorce Bill and ride on the sympathy of a scorned First Lady, coming out stronger out of these scandles, finding her own way of running her own campaign, reinventing herself.
She would be a sure win. Now it's uncertain.
American people can hold boycottes for ever, for all kinds of petty things.

Hudson, you're still not understanding. I am talking about republican base voters, not about republican congresspeople.
I won't vote for a republican or become a citizen if there is a rep president, true. Because of the narrow-mindedness.
Republican aka conservative are regressive, never progressive. Their thinking hits mental roadblocks all the time, never able to look past their own limited view. It's what here and now that counts, and their own backyard. Hell with the world and the planet and other nations.
The reason they are so upset about Mexicans waving their flags is because they are so obsessed with their own flags. It's ridiculously narrow minded nativism.

quote:

Originally posted by iperson:
Hudson, you're still not understanding. I am talking about republican base voters, not about republican congresspeople.
I won't vote for a republican or become a citizen if there is a rep president, true. Because of the narrow-mindedness.
Republican aka conservative are regressive, never progressive. Their thinking hits mental roadblocks all the time, never able to look past their own limited view. It's what here and now that counts, and their own backyard. Hell with the world and the planet and other nations.
The reason they are so upset about Mexicans waving their flags is because they are so obsessed with their own flags. It's ridiculously narrow minded nativism.

Not even someone like McCain? Again, you are generalizing about a particular party that I know you dislike, but even worse, know very, very, very little.

quote:

Originally posted by iperson:
I think what Hillary should have done years ago was divorce Bill and ride on the sympathy of a scorned First Lady, coming out stronger out of these scandles, finding her own way of running her own campaign, reinventing herself.
She would be a sure win. Now it's uncertain.
American people can hold boycottes for ever, for all kinds of petty things.

If Hilary becomes president and once after her inauguration, that is when she should divorce Bill and revoke all privileges on Federal Property.

McCain's Florida Victory Gives Him Edge for Feb. 5

Kristin Jensen and Christopher Stern 1 hour, 51 minutes ago

Jan. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Arizona Senator John McCain last night triumphed in the Florida primary and earned front-runner status in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.
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The victory, coupled with the fizzling of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's campaign, gives McCain a major advantage as he battles with Mitt Romney for the largest chunk of delegates available on Feb. 5, when more than 20 states hold elections. McCain may now be able to claim the winner-take-all contests in Giuliani's home state and neighboring New Jersey and Connecticut, and win or do well in a slew of others.

``It effectively seals the nomination for him,'' said Alex Vogel, a Republican strategist who isn't aligned with a candidate. Polls showing that McCain had the best chance of beating a Democrat in November offered ``powerful currency,'' Vogel said.

Some analysts say the race isn't over yet.

``Can Romney still win the nomination? Sure, but his chances decreased markedly,'' said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute in Hamden, Connecticut.

Romney, this morning in an interview on CNN, said he's now in a two-person race with McCain. ``I think I can stop him,'' Romney said, while conceding ``it's no sure thing at this stage.''

Final Numbers

New York Senator Hillary Clinton, 60, also claimed victory in Florida, winning the Democratic primary. Because the state violated national party rules by moving up its contest, no delegates to the Democratic nominating convention were at stake.

McCain, 71, had 36 percent of the vote, compared with 31 percent for Romney, 15 percent for Giuliani and 14 percent for former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, with 99 percent of the precincts reporting. McCain has won three contests, matching Romney's total and beating out Huckabee, who has one victory.

About 3.5 million people voted in the two primaries, more than doubling the total in 2000, when both the Republicans and Democrats had contested nominations.

Giuliani, 63, repeatedly pointed to Florida as crucial to his chances, and his defeat may spell the end of his campaign. Once a national front-runner, he placed fourth in a countrywide Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times poll this month.

Romney, 60, a former Massachusetts governor, rallied his supporters in Florida last night and took a shot at McCain, without mentioning him by name. ``Washington is fundamentally broken, and we're not going to change Washington by sending the same people back just to sit in different chairs,'' he said.

Winner Take All

Huckabee, 52, vowed to fight on. He told supporters in Missouri that he wasn't discouraged by the results in Florida. ``We're just really getting started,'' he said.

Under state party rules, McCain won all of Florida's 57 delegates to the Republican National Convention, bringing his total to 98. Romney has 59 delegates and Huckabee has 26, according to The Green Papers, a nonpartisan Web site that compiles election statistics. A candidate needs 1,191 delegates to become the nominee.

Florida may provide a preview for balloting on Feb. 5, when voters in the New York area and delegate-rich states including California, Illinois and Missouri go to the polls. A candidate winning just New York, New Jersey and Connecticut would walk away with 183 delegates.

``My friends, in one week -- one week -- we will have as close to a national primary as we've ever had in this country,'' McCain told cheering supporters in Florida. ``I intend to win it and be the nominee of our party.''

`Remarkable Comeback'

Florida adds to McCain's victories in New Hampshire and South Carolina. Huckabee won the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses and Romney chalked up wins in Wyoming, Michigan and Nevada.

Terry Holt, a Republican strategist and former campaign spokesman for President George W. Bush, said the victory is a ``remarkable comeback'' for McCain. Just months ago, the candidate had to revamp his campaign and fire staff after spending almost all the money he raised.

``The stars are aligning for McCain,'' Holt said. ``The question is whether it can be sustained.''

Hillary Clinton

Clinton is also looking to capitalize on her victory in Florida. She flew to the state and held a ``thank-you'' event after polls closed, allowing her to stick to a pledge not to campaign in Florida while also drawing attention to her win.

Last week, Clinton said she would ask her delegates from other states to support a move to seat representatives from Florida at the convention.

``I am thrilled to have had this vote of confidence,'' she told supporters in Davie last night. ``I will do everything I can to make sure not only are Florida's Democratic delegates seated, but Florida is in the winning column for the Democrats in 2008.''

Clinton won Florida with 50 percent of the vote, compared with 33 percent for Obama, with 99 percent of the precincts reporting. Among people who made up their minds in the last three days, her margin was much smaller, exit polls found.

To contact the reporters on this story: Kristin Jensen in New York at kjensen@bloomberg.net ; Christopher Stern in Washington at cstern3@bloomber.net

Current Delegage Count for Democrats and Republicans.

Democratic Party Primary
As of today, there has been a total of 452 out of 4049. The magic number is 2,025 to win the party nominatino.

Clinton 262
Obama 158
Edwards 62
Dodd 0
Biden 0
Gravel 0
Kucinich 0
Richardson 0

Republican Party Primary

As of today, there has been 208 delegates assigned out of 2,380. The magic number is 1,191.

McCain 97
Rommney 74
Huckabee 29
Paul 6
Guiliani 2
Hunter 0
Thompson 0

The next big test is Feburary 4, 2008, otherwise known as Super Tuesday. At stake are 23 states including Calfirnia, Illinois, and Ney York, who have the largest number of delegats. No one will be able to **** up the nomination, but would be beneficial to securing that nomination. Who do you think will win a majority of the delegates next week?

Hi Hudson,

I'm sticking with my prediction: McCain and Obama. Guess Bloomberg should be prepared - lol!

I am betting on Hillary vs Bloomberg, but it may as well be Hillary vs McCain.
The reason Obama won in SC was because 80% of the population there is black while only 20% is white. So this win was elusive.

Hudson, I know enough, don't question my knowledge about politics, and history in general (again). I told you what I think about such attitude before.

It will be Clinton and McCain. McCaine will win and we will get back to normal provided he gets realistic on illegal immigration. The country isn't quite ready for a women president. No offense intended but we're just not at that stage yet. Especially not a Clinton.

What Davdah..you don't want an Iron Lady like we had to run our country? lol

quote:

Originally posted by davdah:
It will be Clinton and McCain. McCaine will win and we will get back to normal provided he gets realistic on illegal immigration. The country isn't quite ready for a women president. No offense intended but we're just not at that stage yet. Especially not a Clinton.

Wanna bet???

Sure, how much?

Hmmmm - make it easy on yourself - lol!

Ok, how about time. Community service picked by the winner.

That's a great idea, Davdah. How many hours?

Nevermind! You said picked by the winner. So be it!!! You have a deal!

How does 10 sound?

You're on!

For the record how do you see it playing out.